Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotlight

Jo Ellen Diehl Yeary | Generosity rooted in pride, remembrance, dedication to home

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Highland County Community Fund

Matching funds available! The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is providing a 50-cent match for every $1 given to any endowment within the Highland County Community Fund’s family of funds. Matching funds can also be used to help start a new endowed fund and for new documented planned gifts. A total of $300,000 in match funding is available on a first-come, first served basis through Nov. 8, with up to $100,000 in match available per household.

For more information on the 2024 match opportunity, click here.
For information on ways to give to Highland County, click here.


A permanent endowment fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), the Highland County Community Fund was created to assist the Highland County community in growing philanthropic resources to enrich quality of life. The Fund will make grants to support the community from its interest and earnings, ensuring permanent resources designed to address Highland County’s changing needs over time.


2022 Annual Report

To view the Highland County Community Fund’s 2022 annual report, click here.


Grant Opportunities

The Highland County Community Fund is partnering with FAO’s I’m A Child of Appalachia® Fund to provide a grant opportunity to nonprofits, schools, and public organizations working to benefit Highland County residents.

2023 grant applications closed on September 12, 2023.

Helpful Links and Documents:


2023 Grant Recipients

  • Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio to purchase food for mobile food pantry distributions in Highland County
  • Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council to assist with program costs for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Highland County
  • Highland County Community Action Organization Inc. to support the I Am a Child of Highland County Leadership Academy
  • Hillsboro First Baptist Church to purchase diapers and other items for The Diaper Depot’s distributions to families in need
  • Junior Achievement of OKI Partners Inc. to help fund the participation of Highland County high school students in the Inspire to Hire career expo
  • Greenfield Area Christian Center’s New Directions Youth Ministry to help fund 2024 Discover Inspire Grow Groups led by former and current students
  • Highland County ACCESS Program to fund micro-internships for Highland County high school students

Highland Committee Members

• Marty Bailey
• Lindsay Cloud
• Ron Coffey
• David Daniels
• Susan Davis
• Shawn Priest


Support the Highland Community

Gifts are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, life insurance and charitable remainder trusts. To mail your donation, please designate the Highland County Community Fund and mail to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764. Make a secure online donation by clicking here, noting the Highland County Community Fund. To learn more, contact FAO at 740.753.1111.